Another Sunday, another day of fantasy football in the books. At this point in the season, you should know who your dependable guys are, and you have to remember that as we head into the bye weeks. It’s tough to manage as some guys are underwhelming, others are on bye weeks and others are so unpredictable that you don’t know whether to start or drop them. Here are some insights on a couple of those borderline guys, as well as on a few superstars who have been struggling lately.
MICHAEL VICK ‘ Just over a year ago, Vick appeared in my weekly column after Donovan McNabb broke his rib, and I wondered if Vick could ever have fantasy relevance again. Well, say hello to one of the biggest superstars of the 2010 fantasy season. Lately Vick looks just like the dangerous Falcons quarterback that used to scare defenses and baffle coaches. He should be started without hesitation until the first sign of decline; the problem is that as soon as there is such a sign, his drop off the fantasy radar will be almost instantaneous.
AUSTIN COLLIE ‘ Again? Collie one-upped his insane Week 1 performance with a gem of a stat line: 12 catches, 171 yards and two scores. His production for this season is off the charts; he is among the league leaders in every statistical category. But we also saw this last year: he would blow up and then disappear, break out and then vanish. But he’s not much different than a guy like Marques Colston, who was drafted as a WR1 in most leagues. Roll with Collie for now; he should put up numbers, at least for the next couple games. Much to the dismay of ‘
REGGIE WAYNE ‘ Here’s why you shouldn’t be worried: Wayne is still Peyton Manning’s favorite target, regardless of how many balls he throws Collie’s way. Every top-tier wide receiver has an off week, whether it’s poor QB play, a rival wideout or just a bad day. Keep Wayne in your starting lineup until he puts up three duds in a row; then be worried.
JOE FLACCO ‘ He finally got on track this week, but is this a one-time deal or is this the Flacco that preseason experts were hailing as the next big fantasy QB? Flacco has some tough matchups this year, so there are a few weeks this season when starting him isn’t a good idea. Throw in the bye week, and that leaves half the season where starting Flacco isn’t such a great idea. He has never really proven that he can overcome a monstrous defense to have a good fantasy day, so where is all this upside that everyone keeps talking about? I don’t see it.
MAURICE JONES-DREW ‘ The consensus No. 3 pick in the fantasy draft this year has been arguably the most disappointing fantasy player in 2010. But no matter how furious he has been making me, I have to remain optimistic. Keep him in your starting lineup this week. I foresee the next two weeks going extremely well for MJD. Next week: Indy, who got ripped to shreds to make Arian Foster a household name. Next up after that: Buffalo, one of the most notoriously anemic run defenses in the NFL. Don’t you dare bench him.
DEANGELO WILLIAMS ‘ Same concern as the above problem with MJD, except I bring him up here because I don’t see this situation recovering like MJD’s. Williams has a low yards-per-carry average and hasn’t reached the endzone yet, two dangerous signs for a top running back. The even greater problem is that his vulture, Jonathan Stewart, has also been underperforming, meaning that this is a problem with the team as well as the individuals. Williams could turn it around, but I don’t think he will ever get to the level we have been expecting him to get to this year with the Panthers’ offense in disarray.
SHONN GREENE ‘ Yikes. Everyone saw Greene as the runner with the greatest upside, running behind the best run-blocking offensive line in football. Instead, he has struggled to be productive with his carries, has had trouble holding onto the ball and has watched LaDainian Tomlinson run away with the Jets’ primary running duties. I was so high on Greene before the season, and it breaks my fantasy heart to see what’s happened to him. It’s scary to say, but Greene may never get it going this year. Park him on your bench until he proves otherwise (cue tears).
DUSTIN KELLER ‘ Keller has had potential up the wazoo, but over the past two weeks, as Mark Sanchez has finally found his groove, Keller has proven to be a reliable target and a breakout fantasy tight end, putting up more than 200 yards and three touchdowns ‘ and doing it all with just 13 catches! The problem is that, as with many tight ends and receivers, his performance depends entirely on the reliability of his quarterback, so if you want to roll the dice on Keller, you’re rolling the dice on Sanchez too. But considering how few good tight ends there are, he’s worth a starting spot either way.